WASHINGTON (AP) — The House is scheduled to vote Wednesday evening on Speaker Mike Johnson’s proposal that links the funding of the federal government for the new budget year with a mandate that states require proof of citizenship when people register to vote.
Johnson pulled the bill from consideration last week and said he would work over the weekend to build consensus for it within the Republican ranks. It’s unclear whether he was able to do so as some GOP members have concerns about continuing current spending levels, but Johnson said he is determined to hold the vote regardless. Meanwhile, Democrats overwhelmingly oppose the measure.
Requiring new voters to provide proof of citizenship has become a leading election-year priority for Republicans raising the specter of noncitizens voting in the U.S., even though it’s already illegal to do so and research has shown that such voting is rare. Opponents also say that such a requirement would disenfranchise millions of Americans who do not have a birth certificate or passport readily available when they get a chance to register at their school, church or other venues when voter registration drives occur.